trail

Delhi Township’s home values and population continue to rise thanks to the reputation of Holt’s Public Schools and the great recreation options that are available in the area. According to U.S. Census data, Delhi Township increased its house occupancy by 19 percent from 2000 to 2010. That was the biggest change of any township in Ingham County during that time span. Not only does the population continue to go up, but the median value of owner-occupied housing units is higher in Holt than the state as a whole, according to Census data from 2010 to 2014. “Its location, schools and then the amenities like trails are a big draw,” said C.J. Davis, Delhi Township Supervisor.

Diahann Curtis, a Shiawassee County resident, walks on trails frequently in Meridian Township when the sun is shining and the weather is cooperative. The avid trail walker says she appreciates the feeling of safety from motor vehicles when walking on a non-motorized trail. Curtis believes the upcoming trail connecting Lake Lansing in Haslett to Michigan State University in East Lansing will be beneficial, but she is not sold that the trail would be the most practical use of taxpayer dollars. “One of the downsides would be that the Lansing area already has a nice trail,” Curtis said. “The amount of the money that will go into [this trail] I think could be better spent in other areas.”

After the opening of the 1.5-mile Ram Trail in early December, Delhi Township administration is in the midst of designing Ram Trail Two, which will start at the Holt Road and Eifert Road intersection and travel north-east towards Jaycee Park and Cedar Street. “These trails have been very popular amongst citizens and in my 27 years working for the township I think the trails are one of our greatest contributions to the community,” said Director of Parks and Recreation Mark Jenks. According to Tracy Miller, Director of Community Development, construction of the new trail will most likely begin in spring of 2017 and be completed that fall. “There is some property across from Eifert Road that the township owns. There is a worn out two track back there that people use and that is something that could be a part of Ram Trail Two,” said Jenks.

ST. JOHNS — Just south of downtown St. Johns, a somewhat-dilapidated concrete trail draws the line of where downtown ends and warehouses begin. The Fred Meijer Clinton-Ionia-Shiawassee Trail runs from Owosso, through St. Johns, and finally turns into the Fred Meijer Grand River Trail, which proceeds throughout the western part of the state.

Runners, bicyclists and outdoor enthusiasts are discovering new ways to embrace the community, with the many new trails sprouting up throughout Delhi Township. Three such trails have been developed in Delhi Township over the last decade. The first was the mile-long Valhalla Trail, completed in 2006. This was followed by the 2.1 mile long Sycamore Trail in 2014. All 3 trails have been funded, in part, by different grants allocated by the State of Michigan and the Delhi Township general fund.

GRAND LEDGE — Green infrastructure is increasingly relevant to Michigan, the region and the country. With five Great Lakes and two peninsulas, Michigan represents connectivity. “Many people think green infrastructure has to do with just energy, but really green infrastructure is any infrastructure that is sensitive to the environment,” said Jon Bayless, Grand Ledge city administrator. With green infrastructure improvements well underway in Grand Ledge, such as possible dam deconstruction, recreational trail extensions and rain gardens, community support is essential. “The community has been very supportive of locally-initiated and state-mandated efforts to build and maintain a green infrastructure,” said Kalmin Smith, mayor of Grand Ledge.

The Delhi Charter Township Board voted Tuesday to move forward with efforts to expand the local trail system and to grant a tax abatement to Magna International Inc. to build a new assembly line. The line is projected to bring about 35 jobs to the Holt area. The trail expansion is designed to make Holt a “walkable community,” said C.J. Davis, the township supervisor. It will be done in two parts. The first, which is nearly ready to begin construction, would expand the Lansing River Trail into Holt. The second, for which the board approved about $650,000 over three years, would continue the expansion of the trail system south toward Mason.

The Holt Community Development Department has two big projects on the horizon. Two trail extension plans will expand the walkable community in the township. The current project is the North Trail Connector, which will connect the current trail in Holt to the Lansing River Trail. The Lansing River Trail is 13 miles long and runs through East Lansing and Lansing. According to Director of Community Development Tracy Miller, this is expected to be completed in the summer of 2013.

Environmental News from Great Lakes Echo

By MAX JOHNSTON
Capital News Service
LANSING — Many people consider carp to be a “trash fish,” but fly fishing for carp is popular in northern Michigan. This year though, guides have cancelled trips and lost thousands of dollars because they can’t find the fish.

By CARIN TUNNEY
Capital News Service
LANSING — Lake trout make noise in bed, according to new research by Great Lakes scientists. The species commonly growl, snap, quiver and thump while spawning, the study found.

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